Tank-car heater



Jan, 1 19241 T. BEAGHEN, JR

TANK CAR HEATER ori inal Filed Feb. 12 1920 s Sheets-Sheet 1 T. BEAGHEN, JR

TANK CAR HEATER 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 12

Patented den. i, 1924.

usir

THoMAsBEaGHEN, J34, or MOUNT vnnnon, NEW YORK.

TANK-CAR HEATER.

Application filed February 20, 1920, Serial Nb. 366,141. Renewe'a'ivbvembe'ree 1923.

T (cZZ whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, THOMAS BEAGHEN, Jr, a citizen of the United States of Amer ice, and a resident of Mount Vernon, Westchester County, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Tank-Car Heaters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

ivfiy invention relates to portable. tanks and has special reference to heating apparatus for tank cars and like vehicles which are adapted for the transportation of such liquids as fuel oil, lubricating oil, and other heavy petroleum products. I

One object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiective heater of the character above indicated that shall avoid many disad antages inherent in structures used for the same purpose hitherto.

Another object of my invention is to provide a heater in which circulationof heating fluid will be assured in order to effect a substantiaily uniform distribution of heat.

i-T'ank cars are utilized for shippingheavy liquids which at ordinary atmospheric telnperatures are solid or semisolid and which at least require a considerable increase of temperature before they can be readily drawn from the tank. It has been my aim to provide a heater adapted for this purpose and in the preferred embodiment of my invention the heatingcoils'are divided into a plurality of headers, each having live steam chambers and independent drainage chambers and suitable pipe extensions'provide the necesssary radiating surface, together with means for circulating the steam and increasing its velocity through the radiating pipes, and for preventing accumulation of liquid in the drainage chambers.

In order that my invention may be thoroughly understood, 1 will now describe the same in the following specification and will then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional plan view of a tank ear showing a portion of the tank car heater which is arranged and constructed in accordance with my invention and constitutes one embodiment thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation showing a portion of the same heater.

Figures 3 and i are transverse sectional views through the tank, the. heater being shown in ende'levation in Figure 3 and in sectional elevation in Figure 4:.

Figure 5' is an elevatiOrishbwing the steam connections in detail.

Figure 6 shows aVenturi drainage casting together with a live steam expansion coil. Al sectional det-aillof the drainage casting is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing the tank outlet with its steam jacket.

Figures 9 and 10" are sectional details through the headers.

Flgure 11 is a: sectional View through one of the supports on which theheatin'g coils are mounted. v v

In the drawings, 12" designates the tank of a railway tank car or the like, having an outlet projection 13 at the bottom and an internal heater 14' having inlet connections 16 and 17. The tank outletprojection13 is provided with a steam jacket having a plurality of branch outlets 18 with control valves 19.

Internal heater.

The internal heater 14 comprises" a pair of headerswhich may, for example, be made of cast iron and are sector-shaped so that the" fit the internal contour of the tank which is of the meat cylindrical form. Each of'the headers is composed of a pair of articulated sections, the sections of one header beingdesignated" 20 and 24 and the sections of the other header being designated 21 and 25;

Each of the sections, such as 24: for example, is provided with a web 34 which internally divi'de's'the sections into an upper live steam chamber 35 and a lower drainage chamber 36; A plurality of radiator pipes 37 are threaded into suitable sockets 38 in the header section and extend outwardly in opposite direotionsalmost to the ends of the tank. The walls of the chamber 35 are provided with Venturi openings 39 which establish connections between the chamber and each of the pipes 37, and are arranged to discharge into the pipes in an axial direction.

The live steam which is admitted to the chamber 35, as hereinafter explained, is discharged through the Venturi openings 39 into the pipes 37, the" pressure being thus changed to velocity so that the circulation of the steam through these pipes is insured.

The steam and condensate from the pipes 37 returns through pipes 10 of "smaller size which are screwed into tapped holes 4.1 which open into the chamber 36 in the header as clearly shown in Figure 10. The pipes 37 are coupled to the return pipes d0 by U-shaped connectors 42, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Each of the header sections is provided with a plurality of pipes extending longitudinally of the tank in both directions, the headers being located near the center of the tank and close to the outlet 13. The pipes are divided into eight groups 76 and 27 to 33 inclusive, the groups 76 and being connected to the header section 2 1, the groups 27 and 31 to the header 20, the groups 23 and 32 to the header 21, and the groups 29 and 33 to the header 25.

Adjacent to the lower end of each header is a drainage casting 4C3 which has a funnelshaped or tapering discharge nozzle 4: 1 adapted to receive live steam from an expansion coil 45 interposed between the livesteam chamber 35 of the adjacent header and the nozzle.

An exhaust steam connection is established from the chamber 36 of the adjacent header section to the drainage casting through an expansion bend designated -16 the arrangen ent of parts being such that the live steam discharging from the nozzle 1st flows at high velocity through a passage 4L7 into the steam jacket 15 and creates a partial vacuum or: suction which tends to empty the drainage pipes 41:0 and the drainage chambers 36. The live steam supplied through the inlet pipes 16 and, 17 flows through branches 50, 51 and 52, 53, which are connected to the several sections of the respective headers.

Drainage may be withdrawn from the steam jacket 15 by opening the valve 19.

The drainage pipes 40 are preferably made smaller in section than the live steam radiator pipes 37 in order to produce a choking elfectwhich will prevent the steam from flowing at high velocity through the radiator pipes and back through the drain pipes without giving up its heat, to a maximum degree, to the oil or other liquid contained in the tank. With the arrangement illustrated the steam is discharged from the live steam chamber 35 through the Venturi orifices 39 at high velocity and circulation is established by reason ofv this high speed discharge almost to the outer ends of the pipes 37. The volume of the pipes 37 is so much greater than the pipes 40 that a piling up of the steam results and the maximum heat radiation from the pipes 37 is effected. The condensed steam from each radiator pipe 37 flows by gravity'into the adjacent pipe 10 and back into the drainage chamber 36. This backward movement of the condensed steam is assisted and insured by the ejector effect of the nozzle 1 1 which discharges through the opening et'? into the steam jacket 15, asalready explained.

The Venturi orifices 39, as clearly shown in Figure 9, are so designed as to have a well rounded approach or throat, the length of each Venturi orifice, the angle of divergence and the diameter of the throat being in harmonious relationship with each other to provide a full flow of steam to the radiator pipes. I

The velocity of the discharge of steam through the Venturi orifice will be greatest at its smallest diameter or throat and the pressure at that section of the orifice will be less than atmospheric, or negative, so that it tends to create a vacuum or cause a suction and thus the discharge of the steam is greatly expedited and circulation thereof is considerably improved.

Attention is directed to the fact that the heater comprises four sections or units which are supplied by independent branches,

the valve 55 shown in Figures 3 and 5 located on the outside of the tank being adapted to supply steam to either one or both branches from any suitable source. The pipe 17v is equipped with a similar three-way valve designated 56. With this arrangement if one of the sections becomes disabled steam may be cut off from it and the balance of the heater utilized.

The pipes 37 and 40 are supported near their outer ends and at one or more intermediate points on either side of the headers by means of angle-iron supports 57 to which the pipes are attached by means of U-bolts 58. The arrangement is such that the pipes are free to expand longitudinally of the tank without injury either to themselves or to their supports. Attention is also directed to the fact that live steam is discharged from the chamber 35 directly through the Venturi nozzle 44 into the steam jacket 15. This accomplishes not only the purpose of insuring the drainage of the drainage chamber and drain pipes by reason of the ejector action above described, but also the purpose of heating the outlet of the tank and thus enabling the outlet valve to be operated even though a very heavy liquid or solid of low melting point is carried in the tank.

A structure of preferred form and con struction has been illustrated and described for the purpose of showing a way in which this invention may be used, but the inventive thought upon which this application is based. is broader than this illustrative embodiment thereof, and I therefore intend no limitations other than those imposed by "the appended claims.

mounted within the tank andhaving a live steam and a drainage chamber, a plurality of radiator pipes leading outwardly from the live steam chamber, and a plurality of drainage pipes of relatively small size lead ing outwardly from the drainage chambers and connected at their outer ends to the radiator pipes.

2. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted within the tank and having a. live steam and a drainage chamber, a plurality of radiator pipes leading outwardly from the live steam chamber, a plurality of drainage pipes of relatively small size leading outwardly from the drainagechambers and connected at their outer ends to theradiator pipes, and means for withdrawing condensed steam from the drainage pipes.

3. A. tank car heater comprising a header mounted within the tank and having a live steam and a drainage chamber, a plurality of radiator pipes leading outwardly from the live steam chamber, a plurality of drainage pipes of relatively small size leading outwardly from the drainage chambers and connected at their outer ends to the radiator pipes, and an ejector for forcibly withdrawing condensed steam from the drainage pipes.

4. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted within the tank and having a live steam and a drainage chamber, a plurality of radiator pipes leading outwardly from the live steam chamber, a plurality of' drainage pipes of relatively small size leading outwardlv from the drainage chambers and connected at their outer ends to the radiator pipes, and an ejector supplied with live steam from the live steam chamber and arranged to withdraw condensed steam from the drainage chamber.

5. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted within the tank and having a live steam and a drainage chamber, a plurality of radiator pipes leading outwardly from the live steam chamber, a plurality of drainage pipes of relatively small size leading outwardly from the drainage chamber and connected at their outer ends to the radiator pipes, an outlet connection for the drainage chamber, and a discharge nozzle directed into said outlet and supplied with steam from the live steam chamber.

6. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, and a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber connected to the steam jacket of the outlet.

7. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber connected to the steam jacket of the outlet, and means for forcibly ejecting condensed steam from the drain age chamber into the steam jacket.

8. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber connected to the steam jacket of the outlet, means for forcibly ejecting condensed steam from the drainage chamber into the steam jacket, and a live steam ejector for forcibly ejecting condensed steam from the drainage chamber into the steam jacket.

9. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber connected to the steam jacket of the outlet, and an ejector nozzle connected to the live steam chamber and adapted to direct live steam through the opening into the steam jacket for heating the steam jacket and for ejecting condensed steam from the drainage chamber.

10. A tank car heater comprising a header;

mounted intermediate the ends ofthe tank and having a live steam chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber, and radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes.

11. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings formed in the walls of the live steam chamber and directed outwardly therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge axially into said radiator pipes, and means for connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber.

12. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings formed in the walls of the live steam chamber and directed outwardly therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge axially into said radiator pipes.

13. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings formed in the walls of the live steam chamber and directed outwardly therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings be ing arranged to discharge axially'into said radiator pipes, and means for connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber, including relatively small sized drainage pipes connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber'of the header.

14. A tank car heater comprisin a header mounted intermediate the ends 0 the tank and having a live steam chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber, radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, and relatively small sized drainage pipes connected to the outer ends of the radiator pipes.

15. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and havin a live steam chamber, a plurality of l enturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber, radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, relatively small sized drainage pipes connected to the outer ends of the radiator pipes, and means for withdrawing condensed steam from the drainage pipes.

16. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber, radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, relatively small sized drainage pipes connected tothe outer ends of the radiator pipes, and an ejector for forcibly withdrawing condensed steam from the drainage pipes.

17 A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings formed in the walls of the live steam chamber and directed outwardly therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge axially into said radiator pipes, means for connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber comprising relatively small sized drainage pipes connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber of the header, and means for withdrawing condensed steam from the drainage chamber.

18. A tank car heater comprising a header mounted intermediate the ends of the tank and having a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings formed in the Walls of the live steam chamber and directed out- Wardly therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge axially into said radiator pipes, means for connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber comprising relatively small sized therefrom, radiator pipes connected to the header and extending toward the ends of the tank, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge axially into said radiator pipes, means for connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes to the drainage chamber comprising relatively small sized 'adiator pipes connecting the outer ends of the radiator pipes tothe drainage chamber of the header, an outlet connection for the drainage chamber, and a discharge nozzle directed into said outlet and supplied with steam from the live steam chamber.

20. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam acket for the outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber and radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, drainage pipes interposed between the outer ends of the radiator pipes and the drainage chamber, and a connection between the drainage chamber and the steam jacket of the outlet. I

21. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam acket forthe outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings: leading from the live steam chamber and radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, drainage pipes interposed between the outer ends of the radiator pipes and the drainage chamber, .a connection between the drainage chamber and the steam jacket of the outlet, and means for forcibly ejecting condensed steam from the drainage chamber into the steam jacket.

22. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, a car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber and radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, drainage pipes interposed between the outer ends of the radiator pipes and the drainage chamber, a connection between the drainage chamber and the steam jacket of the outlet, and a live steam ejector for forcibly ejecting condensed steam from the drainage chamber into the steam jacket.

23. A tank car having an outlet projection at the bottom, a steam jacket for the outlet projection, car heater comprising a header composed of a live steam chamber and a drainage chamber, a plurality of Venturi discharge openings leading from the live steam chamber and radiator pipes connected to the header, said Venturi openings being arranged to discharge into said radiator pipes, drainage pipes interposed between the outer ends of the radiator pipes and the drainage chamber, a connection between the drainage chamber and the steam jacket of the outlet, and an ejector nozzle connected to the live steam chamber and adapted to QtfA multi-section tank car heater comprising a plurality of header sections, radiator pipes connected to each header section, independent means for supplying heating fluid to each header section, and means for selectively cutting out any one of the sections.

25. A multi-section tank car heater comprising a plurality of header sections disposed Within and intermediate the ends of the tank, radiator pipes connected to said header sections and extending towards both ends of the tank, a con trol valve on the outside of the tank adapted to be connected with the source of supply and branch heating fluid supply pipes connecting the control valve to the respective header sections oii the header whereby the heater sections may be selectively cut out as desired.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16 day of Feb. 1920.

THOMAS BEAGHEN, JR. 

